from lousiest to greatest // 2022.01.18

King David was the lousiest choice for a king. He was the youngest, the smallest, and most of all, he was late! But he became the giant slayer,  and the king whose kingdom lasts forever! Why? Because his heart was for God, and this allowed God to work through him. Feeling small? Struggling with impossible challenges? In pain? Give your heart to God, and let Him slay your giants and regain the kingdom through you.

let go to get most // 2022.01.17

 Some people fail at growing in their faith, because they are unwilling to let go of what keeps them from moving forward. There is no chastity with a collection of porn, no honesty when you cheat at work or business, no prayer when you soak yourself in netflix or facebook... no love when you do not put others first. Jesus said new wine cannot enter old wineskins. You cannot receive God, if "you" is still in you. The good news is that the new wineskins are free, but we can only get them when we give up our old ones. When was the last time you "Marie Kondo'd" your life? As we move through 2022, let's let go to get more!

i'm a sinner, too // 2022.01.15

I think I'm at my worst when I'm driving, especially when I'm alone, because that's when my dream of being the most patient man shatters. I'd curse those who drive like crazy, and those who drive like they own the road. But why should I easily lose my patience over such petty mistakes? Jesus did say, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” And then it dawns on me, I am a sinner, too, and if Jesus comes for sinners like me, why can't I give myself for those who irk me, too?

taking away the good to stay good // 2022.01.13

Even good things go bad when used for our selfish desires. That is why God will sometimes take away what is good, that you will remain good.

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The leper that Jesus healed was filled with joy and gratitude that he cannot contain it even when Jesus asked Him to stay silent. This resulted in limiting Jesus's ministry. But that's what joy is; it cannot be easily contained when it is real. Yet at the same time, holding off on good may have its reason. Trust that God has a plan when He asks you to wait.

a question by who's in front of you // 2022.01.12

"He commands even evil spirits, and they follow," they would exclaim. This drew crowds who want to not only get healed, but be cleansed. Many people got healed after showing their faith in Jesus. Yet not everyone during that time recognized what was in front of them, and refused to receive God's grace. Sick? Dealing with habitual sins? Jesus is right in front of you, but will you surrender and believe He can heal you?

a thin line between counterfeit and authenticity // 2022.01.08

Faith becomes counterfeit when its focus is yourself, rather than God. Are you happy that you were able to be Jesus to others, or that others see you as "holy"? There's a thin line, but the difference is huge. How about you? Is your faith real or fake?

what we need wherever in the roller coaster // 2022.01.07

In Jesus's high and low, prayer was at the center of everything, even retreating from what most would consider more important. But He is consistent even with His words to Martha and Mary. Busy? Hands full? Anxious? Overwhelmed? Jesus reminds us that nothing can be more important than prayer. When was the last time you really prayed? Why not do it now?

with the lunatics // 2022.01.03

Mankind has a habit of calling God's commands crazy. The people laughed at Noah for building an ark, at Moses for asking to free the Israelites from slavery, at David for trying to subdue a giant with just a sling and without any armor,  at Samson for trying to break the main pillars despite being weak for ages, and many more. Jesus asks us to be faithful and give our lives totally to Him, yet in a way, the world laughs at that with the banner of "this is the modern time already". Noah was saved by the ark, Moses freed the Israelites, David defeated Goliath, Samson broke the pillars. The world may be laughing at what your faith asks you. You can join the crowd that drowned, or will you be like our heroes who stayed faithful despite the world's shouts of lunacy, and succeeded with flying colors?

our daddy and mommy // 2022.01.01

The feast of Theotokos reminds us that we are adapted children of God. Today's reading from Paul tells us, "As proof that you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!' So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then also an heir, through God." This calls us to live as children who love the Father with full trust and abandon... trust that He looks after our best, and abandon that we serve Him not as His workers, but as His children. And, of course, always at peace that we have our Mother who cares for us and helps us in our walk to God.

st. francis of assisi // 2021.10.04

Today is the feast of the saint that taught us that true happiness is not in what we have or don't have... 

Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace 

Where there is hatred let me sow love. 

Where there is injury, pardon. 

Where there is doubt, faith. 

Where there is despair, hope. 

Where there is darkness, light. 

Where there is sadness joy. 

O Divine master grant that I may 

Not so much seek to be consoled as to console 

To be understood, as to understand. 

To be loved. as to love 

For it's in giving that we receive 

It's in pardoning that we are pardoned 

And it's in dying that we are born... 

To eternal life. Amen. 

Happy feast day, St. Francis!